D.O. ( Defy the Odds; real name Duane Michael Gibson ) is a Canadian rapper, motivational speaker and author.Jenny Yuen Bullying victim turned rapper takes message to students Toronto Sun, 28 December 2012 He is known for setting the Guinness World Record for the longest freestyle rap in 2003. Biography D.O. studied at Toronto's York University and graduated with an honours English degree in 2001.Shawn Katuwapitiya Rapper D.O. takes hip-hop back to the books The Gazette, 23 October 2007VIDEOS: Canadian hip hop artist D.O. Releases Free Online Album (Heavy in the Game) Scoop, Langfield Entertainment May 17, 2012
After graduation, he created a school tour program, Stay Driven, to educate students on anti-bullying, anti-violence, peer pressure, leadership and working at peak performance.Canadian rap artist D.O. delivers a positive message with his Stay Driven tour Peace: Canada's Street Style Magazine, 2 April 2010 He has subsequently visited hundreds of schools to speak on those topics and in 2012 published a book Stay Driven: Can't Nobody Hold You Down on the same topics.Matt Galloway Anti Bully Rapper CBC Toronto, 16 November 2012Tyler Kula Sarnia rapper releases new book Sarnia Observer, 20 December 2012
In 2007, D.O. released his debut album "The Northstarr" the album garnered a nomination from the Ontario Independent Music Awards. In 2009, D.O's sophomore album "Stay Driven" hit number 7 on the Canadian College Charts.The National Hip Hop Chart Earshot, 29 September 2009 In 2012, he released his third solo album "Heavy In The Game" which included the single "Can't Tell Me" featuring SonReal, Famous and Chris Jackson. The track peaked at Number 3 on the US College Hip Hop Charts in July 2012.Record Breakers Chart Rapnetwork Record Breakers, 27 July 2012
D.O. records as a solo artist and is also one-half of the duo Art of Fresh with beatmaker and vocalist Byram Joseph, a.k.a. Slakah the Beatchild.Addi Stewart D.O. Guinness World Record for longest freestyle North Side Hip Hop In 2009 their debut album "Back to the Earth" reached #2 on the National College Radio Charts.The National Hip Hop Chart Earshot, 6 January 2009 In 2010, the group's song "Out This World" hit number 1 on the US College Hip-Hop Radio Charts.Issue #410 Top 40 Rapattack, 1 February 2010 Other musicians that he has collaborated with include DL Incognito, Red 1 of the Rascalz, Classified, Marco Polo, Metty the Dert Merchant (Sweatshop Union), JRDN, Maestro Fresh Wes and others. He videos rotate on MuchMusic, he has toured Canada multiple times and performed globally with stops in Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, New York City, Miami and Las Vegas.
Guinness World Record On July 5, 2003, D.O. set a Guinness World Record for the longest freestyle rap at the Dark Nights Nationals car show, an outdoor car festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His rap lasted for 8 hours and 45 minutes and was performed in front of hundreds of spectators. He was the first rapper to have a video-documented evidence to support the claims to have done the world's longest be freestyle rap.
Discography
Solo artist The Northstarr (2007) Stay Driven (2009) Heavy In The Game (2012) Down Home (2014) Duane Gibson (2015) On This Grind (2016) Seeds and Dominoes (2017)
With Art of Fresh Back to Earth (2008) When the night comes in (2010)
Personal life In 2026, he was named as an Member of the Order of Canada.He currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.
References
External links Official site Stay Driven website